Stretch marks are every woman’s worst nightmare. They can strike at any moment. Congratulations, you grew two inches! Your body thinks that was great and rewards you with stretch marks. Having a baby? You can expect some stretch marks from that too. In fact there are many reasons both men and women develop stretch marks ranging from genetics, puberty, bodybuilding, and rapid growth, though they are most commonly found on women who have recently given birth. Stretch marks are “long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that develop on the skin and which differ in hue from the surrounding skin. They are the result of a sudden stretching of the skin and are extremely common.”

Stretch Mark Removal

While not posting any medical threat to ones health, stretch marks and scars can cause people to feel insecure with their bodies. Luckily there are many forms of both natural and medical treatments! Natural scar removal is most effective when treating new or fresh stretch marks, and becomes less effective as time passes. These natural remedies have low risk, and low cost, but because the natural stretch mark removal treatments have not been tested to determine their effectiveness we will focus on the medical treatments for stretch mark removal.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy scar removal uses high energy UV light to disrupt collagen buildup in the skin tissue. This treatment can leave the effected area red and sore for a few days as the damaged skin is replaced.

Surgical Removal

“Surgical stretch mark removal is the only effective option for the complete and permanent elimination of stretch marks. " Though the results can be complete and long lasting the cost and risk factor of surgical removal can tend to turn patients off from the treatment.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a “type of treatment [that] involves a hand-held device that blows crystals onto skin. These crystals gently remove a fine layer of skin, promoting the growth of new, more-elastic skin."

Over the Counter Creams

Mederma has been around for decades as one of the leading over the counter scar removal treatments. Click this link to read some common misconceptions about stretch marks on their website.

Over time scars will fade and new ones will form. Stretch marks are not a sign of obesity but a sign of growth, and for new mothers they are life. It can be hard to ignore a flaw on your own skin and if this is the case you are in luck because there are so many useful scar products out there today for stretch mark removal. In the mean time make sure to always put sunscreen on new and old scars (it prevents them from turning white), keep your body healthy, and drink lots of water. Stretch mark removal is in the horizon, you just have to stick to the game plan!